WOW - I can see two very high-skill/challenging features, right off the bat: a LOT of PE details (yes?) - and also your WATER, which I'm still trying to figure out. To guess right now, I'd say you scooped out your base, to give it actual depth, painted it blue and then filled the hole(s) with clear gel, to look like you are - which you actually are - seeing through, to the shallow bottom. In any case, that's exactly what it looks like, from here.

Assuming the above is (at least basically) on the right track, I have a suggestion - no criticizm whatsoever, but just an idea for "next time": highlight the shoalest points with just a hint of green. The idea being to make it look like a typical warm - i.e., tropical - lagoon (as that is the appearance of the clearest water most familiar to most viewers.).

Really inspiring, Phil!

Also, the Curtiss looks a lot more like the Currituck/Pine Island than I had thought. Are the basic hull proportions of those two classes the same, Phil?

Of course, I could go to NavSource and look it up - but it'd be far more satisfying to learn it from you - obviously, after that build, our Resident Expert.

GREAT submission, and we're looking forward to your nex, Phil - no matter how long it takes, buddy.